23 Million Euros to Support Medical Transfers in Occupied Jerusalem Hospitals

SadaNews -  The European Union and Italy have contributed 23 million euros to the Palestinian Authority to support covering the costs of medical transfers to hospitals in East Jerusalem.

This financial contribution is funded by the European Union (22 million euros) and the Italian government (1 million euros).

This contribution is part of the direct budget assistance package for the Palestinian Authority, which was defined in the high-level political dialogue between the European Union and the Palestinian Authority on April 14, 2025, to enhance Palestinian recovery and resilience.

This contribution will enable the Palestinian Authority to meet its financial obligations towards the hospitals in East Jerusalem, which are currently under pressure due to the ongoing conflict and the economic challenges linked to the war in Gaza. This contribution will help ensure that these hospitals continue to provide essential healthcare services to Palestinian patients in the occupied Palestinian territories.

Since 2013, the European Union and its member states have supported the Palestinian National Authority with regular contributions to cover the costs of medical transfers to hospitals in East Jerusalem, which have now exceeded 213 million euros. These hospitals are an integral part of the Palestinian healthcare system, offering specialized medical services that are not available in public hospitals.

The EU representative, Alexander Stutzmann, stated: "Through this contribution, the European Union and its member states reaffirm their strong commitment to ensuring that all Palestinians have access to essential medical services at a time when the healthcare sector is severely impacted by the ongoing war in Gaza and rising tensions in the West Bank. We are steadfastly committed to supporting the Palestinian Authority in its efforts to enhance and reform the healthcare system, which promotes efficiency and equal access to essential care for all patients. As the health and humanitarian situation in Gaza deteriorates, we call for the reopening of crossings to enable the delivery of medical supplies to hospitals in Gaza and facilitate the evacuation of critically ill patients to hospitals in East Jerusalem."

For his part, the Italian Consul General, Domenico Bellato, said: "This contribution comes at a time when the Palestinian healthcare system is under severe pressure. Through the PEGASE mechanism, patients can access specialized and high-quality care in East Jerusalem, which are services currently unavailable in the West Bank. The contributions made by Italy to the PEGASE mechanism since 2013 reflect its commitment to supporting the Palestinian Authority in its efforts to strengthen and sustain the Palestinian healthcare system."

Since 2008, most of the EU aid to the Palestinian Authority has been channeled through the PEGASE mechanism for direct financial support, which supports the Palestinian Authority's reform process and various national development plans. The PEGASE mechanism also supports the recurrent expenditures of the Palestinian Authority, including salaries and pensions for civil service employees, social allowances paid through the cash transfer program, and part of the costs of medical transfers to hospitals in East Jerusalem.

Since February 2008, over 3 billion euros have been disbursed through the PEGASE mechanism by the European Commission and various development partners, mostly EU member states. Additionally, the EU provides assistance to the Palestinian people through the United Nations Relief and Works Agency for Palestine Refugees in the Near East (UNRWA), along with a wide range of other humanitarian and developmental cooperation projects.